[SiteStar solution from Nokia Siemens Networks is a cooling cabinet that can increase battery life by three times and reduce electricity consumption for cooling batteries at a base station site by up to 95%.]

Nokia Siemens Networks has expanded its portfolio of energy efficient Smart Site solutions with the introduction of SiteStar, a cooling cabinet that can increase battery life by three times, and reduce the electricity consumed for cooling batteries at a base station site by up to 95%. SiteStar will be commercially available in Q3 of 2009.

SiteStar is ideal for countries with extreme climatic conditions and particularly for emerging markets where power supply can be scarce making battery back-up essential.

“SiteStar can replace expensive shelters and power hungry air conditioners which are often needed only for battery cooling,” said Prashant Agnihotri, Head of GSM/EDGE Product Management, Radio Access, Nokia Siemens Networks. “It eliminates the need for expensive indoor sites, while reducing the OPEX of an outdoor site thereby helping an operator not only reduce the cost of roll out and operation, but also its CO2 footprint.”

The life of a battery is inversely proportional to the temperature under which it operates, and is reduced by 50% with a mere 10°C increase above the optimal temperature of 20°C. Service providers therefore have to undertake significant capital and operating expenditure to ensure that the batteries remain cool, or to replace them at regular intervals.

SiteStar’s unique design provides better resistance against external thermal radiation. This allows it to maintain a constant optimal temperature in very hot or cold climates, and increase battery life by three times in operating temperatures of 35°C, compared to a fan based cabinet. SiteStar also reduces electricity consumption for cooling batteries by up to 95% when compared to traditional air conditioned cabinets as it typically consumes only 40W. It thus helps operators reduce ongoing expenditure in battery replacements, site visits, electricity and diesel costs.

SiteStar’s operating range is from -40°C up to +50°C and it can therefore bring similar advantages in very cold climates too.

The Nokia Siemens Networks Smart Site portfolio includes customized site solutions that help operators reduce CAPEX and OPEX while expanding their networks in emerging markets. The Smart Site solution is designed for demanding conditions such as diverse temperatures and unreliable or absent power grid. In fact, by using the Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi Base Station which does not require air conditioners for cooling, and the SiteStar together, operators can realize further cost savings.